I don't think uconn can bang with Kentucky in this one. If Kentucky were smart they would pound randle all game against Daniels.
The committee is not comprised of the same people who vote in the polls. The committee did a horrendous job, though. Kentucky was underseeded. They were absolutely better than UMass this year, yet UMass somehow got a 6 and Kentucky and 8. Louisville was better than all the 3 seeds, etc.
Thats what I didnt understand, I watched Kentucky, I was aware they "struggled" but they "struggled" because they had such a high hopes. Ive never heard of the #1 team coming into the year ending up a #8 seed without any sort of injury. When I think of 8 seeds I think mid majors with no name players, not a big school with a bunch of stars.
And its also amazing how much people put into players stock based on the tourney. A month ago Julius Randle was the forgotten one, all I was hearing about was Embiid, Wiggins, Parker, hell even Ennis. NO ONE was talking about Randle, now a month later, Kentucky has won as a TEAM but now suddenly Randle is back on the map.
And to imagine just a couple weeks ago people were asking for Calhoun to return when the rumor came out that he wanted to coach.
One of the longest shots ever to win it all. Almost no one picked UConn before the tournament to go all the way. Maybe ESPN will mention how many brackets on their site had them (and out of how many). They also went through two of the top five teams in the country, IMO, in Florida and Michigan State, to do it. First seven seed to win it all. Napier, Olander (who somehow played less minutes this season than he did as a freshman), and Giffey all graduate with two championships. Other guys in that class: Jeremy Lamb (left after his freshmen year, now with Thunder), Roscoe Smith (transferred to UNLV, declared for NBA draft despite having a season of eligibility left), and Enosch Wolf (signed with a German team last year). Ollie wins it all in his first season eligible for postseason play.
Congrats to UConn and the AAC, what a conference! I didn't want either team to win but the lesser of 2 evils won so I am happy.
Junc- having dinner tomorrow night with Matt Doherty down in Charlotte. Going to The Masters for the Thursday round, staying over in Charlotte and my buddy set up a dinner with him. Looking forward to it. _
Nice, he should have some interesting stories. He recruited the core of the '05 title team, he just wasn't ready to be a coach at Carolina at that point. if he had stayed at ND a few more years he may have been. Good guy, NY guy area guy. Have fun.
Yeah, Holy Trinity--we used to scrimmage them in football in the late 70s. I obviously didn't play basketball. My nephew went there. Only time I saw Doherty live was when he came up to the Dome in 81 or 82 and that team spanked my Orangemen. Of course having Jordan and maybe Worthy (can't remember if he was on that squad) helped _
I think it was the '84 season(probably late '83) so that was Doherty's senior year and Jordan's last year. Worthy left after winning the '82 title. I think that was their last(and only) game at the dome against SU until the game this past January(they had played a bunch there in Tourney)
Calipari now loses two National Championship games because his team can't hit free throws. that's coaching IMO. I hope he goes to the Lakers just so they can fall deeper into futility. he's very charismatic and a great recruiter, neither of which will help him in the NBA. He'd be smart not to try that route again.
You're right--it was my last year up there. They even have posters of Jordan up in the corridors wearing his UNC jersey. That was a great team. _
in very different ways, the '08 game was a choke job. I am not a Cal fan but I wouldn't blame him for his team missing FTs. they said the same thing about Pete Carroll.
